2006 National Summit and Expansion of National Network

Commitment by

Initiative for Global Development (IGD)

In 2006, the Initiative for Global Development committed to expand its network of business and civic leaders and commits to reaching a total of 350 members by the end of the year. In addition, the organization will convene the first IGD national summit in late spring 2006 to bring its national membership together to promote U.S. leadership in eliminating extreme global poverty, debate and finalize the organization's policy agenda for the next 12 months, and discuss business-oriented solutions to poverty.

Tabs

Commitment

Launched

2005

Est. Duration

2 Years

Estimated Total Value

$

Region

Northern America

Countries

United States

Commitment by

Initiative for Global Development (IGD)

Details

The Initiative for Global Development will expand its network of business and civic leaders and commits to reaching a total of 350 members by the end of 2006. In addition, IGD will convene the first IGD national summit in late spring 2006 to bring its national membership together to promote U.S. leadership in eliminating extreme global poverty, debate and finalize its policy agenda for the next 12 months, and discuss business-oriented solutions to poverty. IGD will produce and distribute a series of documents in preparation for the summit, including a business guide to international development and a collection of policy recommendations to be discussed by the membership at the meeting. IGD will consult closely with business and policy organizations, international experts, and corporate leaders on the formulation of these materials.

Background

The Initiative for Global Development is a national network of business and civic leaders working to make global poverty eradication a top U.S. priority. The Initiative are creating a strong private sector voice urging business leaders and policymakers to provide global leadership and raise awareness of the importance and urgency of eliminating extreme global poverty. Extreme global poverty is at the root of many of the gravest challenges facing the world at present, from HIV/AIDS to terrorism, from environmental degradation to regional instability and its elimination is the single most important step to realizing a better future for the United States and the world. In 2004, a delegation of IGD members traveled to Washington, D.C. to introduce our initiative to Congress and the administration. The delegation promised to return with a national network of members to engage in a policy discussion regarding the promotion of international development and the elimination of extreme poverty. Since then, IGD has expanded it membership to 11 targeted cities with over 230 members nationwide.

Progress Reports

June 2006

The IGD 2006 National Summit convened June 14-15 and gathered 241 leaders from business, civic, and academic institutions focused on eradicating global poverty. The Summit included six sessions: 1. Investing in People; 2. Address by President Bush on Development; 3. Investing in Countries and Making Markets Work; 4. Address by James Wolfensohn; 5. Public and Private Sector Roles; and 6. Call to Action by Jeffrey Sachs. Since the Summit, IGD has directed efforts toward expanding its membership base from 252 and beginning policy outreach to current members.
IGD has also published the IGD Development Guide outlining the current state of global poverty with recommendations for eradication. The Guide includes current poverty statistics as well as corporate case studies. Additional outreach events have been held to introduce IGD to business leaders in various cities over the past year. IGD has seen membership increase from 211 in September 2005 to 252 in February 2006.

March 2006

Former Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Madeleine Albright have agreed to co-chair the summit. A host committee of nationally prominent CEOs and civic leaders has been formed and several CEOs have expressed interest in speaking.